| The "5 Player Rule" in girls hockey has absolutely | | | | level, but they don't "choose" to take the action needed |
| nothing to do with the number of players out on the | | | | to get there. Your teammates may not have the |
| ice. On every team, there are usually 5 players who | | | | same goals as you. And that's fine. You can't make |
| are really dedicated and driven to get to the next level. | | | | them decide to be great. Spending your time and |
| It's not that the other players aren't trying their hardest | | | | energy focused on them doesn't help you at all. You |
| or giving their best. It's just that they're not quite as | | | | have to realize that that some people aren't going to |
| focused on getting to the elite level. It's neither good | | | | understand why you are so driven. |
| nor bad...but it is a reality. | | | | The truth is that some players are going to think that |
| Not every girls hockey player wants to play women's | | | | you think you are better than them because you are |
| college hockey. Not every player wants to play in the | | | | so focused and committed. I didn't want my |
| Olympics. It's a serious challenge for coaches who | | | | teammates to think that I thought I was better than |
| want to help these 5 players reach their dreams, but | | | | them. Because I didn't. I didn't want them to think I was |
| are hesitant about forcing the less motivated players | | | | kissing up to the coach by trying so hard. Because I |
| into a level of commitment that they aren't ready for. | | | | wasn't. The last thing I wanted was for my |
| But it's an even bigger challenge for the player who is | | | | teammates to think I was "stuck up". |
| laser-focused on doing whatever it takes to get to the | | | | So here's where the difficult decision comes in. You |
| elite level. | | | | can make the "easy" choice and let them take you off |
| It's frustrating to know that you are putting in all this | | | | your game. Or you can choose to stay focused on |
| extra time and energy away from the rink in order to | | | | your goals no matter what and keep taking action |
| be your best, and the rest of your team isn't. I get it | | | | towards your dreams. Going after your goals doesn't |
| because I was that player. I was the kid who would do | | | | make you "stuck up". It makes you - and your |
| anything and everything I could do to get an edge on | | | | teammates - better. |
| the competition. And I spent my entire minor hockey, | | | | If you're with a team that has 18 players who are |
| college and post-college career frustrated with my | | | | ready to do anything and everything it takes to get to |
| teammates who weren't willing to do the extra work. | | | | the next level, this isn't a real problem. But let's be |
| Who's kidding who - it didn't just frustrate me - it | | | | honest - that's not the reality for most girls hockey |
| actually made me mad. | | | | teams. There are the 5 or 6 players who really want it |
| If you are one of those players who would run through | | | | - and there are those that don't. Not everyone makes |
| a wall if it meant that it would help you get closer to | | | | the choice to be great. It is definitely harder choice - |
| your dreams, you need to understand this. Other | | | | but it's also worth it. |
| players will say that they "want" to play at the highest | | | | |